480 Pultrcution of Graft Land. Drinking PMids-^Situatlens proper, 



&Tord more nourifhment for the fupport of the ftock than when either of them art 

 eaten fepanttely.* 



In fields that are paftured by cattle, care ihould be taken that all fuch plants as 

 tire hurtful to ftock be completely eradicated, as much injury is often done by them 

 to the cattle as well as the produces \vhich they afford. The plants mod prejudi 

 cial in -this way are thofe of the hemlock, henbane, nightfhade and yew kinds. 

 Jt has beenobferved, that while the grafs is plentiful there is not much danger of 

 their feeding upon fuch plants ; but when it becomes fcarce, and they are confined, 

 it is li-kely to take place, efpecially in the fpring feafon, j- 



Drin king-Ponds. There is another ctrcumftance in refpecl: to pafture lands, that 

 it is indifpenfably necefTary to attend to, which is that of their being well fupplied 

 with water, as without having this in fome degree at command,, it h rnpoflible that 

 the ftock can thrive well, or anfvvcr in the moft perfect mannei in other views. 

 Where. they are not therefore fupplied by brooks or ftreams running through them, 

 it will be neceffary to have r-ecourfc to the forming of ponds, or pools, for the pur- 

 pofe in the fields. In filiations where the natural ftratumof clay is of confidcr- 

 ablethickncfs, there is little difficulty in the conftrucling of watering ponds fo as 

 to be perfectly retentive ; but in loofe porous foils the bufinefs is not executed 

 without confiderable art and attention. Even in clayey lands, except the ponds 

 foe kept conftantly filled with water they are liable to become leaky. This has 

 been fuppofed to depend upon the cracking of the clay by drought, and the perfora 

 tions of warms, the bafons being converted by fuch means into a fort of filters . 

 Thefe inconveniences are ofcourfe to be guarded againft in their conftrudhon ; 

 which are partly effected by the proper application and puddling of the clay as 

 the work proceeds, and the ufe of a coat of lime below it. It is of great advantage 

 alfo, in preventing the clayey ftratum from being injured by drought and the poach 

 ing of cattle, to have coverings of earth, coarfe gravel, or fmall Hones laid over 

 the clay. The fides or parts of the ponds which are to admit the cattle to drink 

 ihould be well floped down, fo as that they may enter with eafe and the leaft pof- 

 jfible injury to the ;:-ottoms of the ponds. 



In refpecl: to their iituation, it is the moft ufual to make them at the bottoms of 

 !flopcs or riling grounds ; where after heavy rains a flight run of water may be 



* Marshall s Rural Economy of Midland Counties, vol. I. t Perth Corre&ed Report, 



J Marfhall s Rural Economy of Yorkfhire, 



